Discover Blaenavon
Discover Blaenavon
Welcome to Blaenavon – a famous industrial town nestled at the head of the Eastern Valley of south Wales! Home to over 6,000 people, Blaenavon boasts a rich cultural heritage. It sits on the gateway to the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and within the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. Today, our town is home to world-famous tourist attractions, award-winning food and drink retailers, and innovative enterprises in the digital, foundational, and manufacturing sectors. But, above all else, Blaenavon has a fantastic community, with community groups and volunteers, who love this town!
Our History
Blaenavon is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site and among the most historically and geographically fascinating towns in the UK. We sit 420m above sea level, and it is the source of the Afon Lwyd, the main river running through the county borough of Torfaen, South Wales’s easternmost valley.
That’s how Blaenavon got its name, as it literally means ‘front of the river’ or, loosely, ‘river’s source’. It is unique in having both one of the best-preserved late 18th century ironworks in the world and also a coal mining museum providing underground tours.
Officially, Blaenavon’s population peaked was at 12,469 in 1921, according to the census. However, by this point the town was entering into the post-war economic slump so may have already experienced some outward migration – which continued at a dramatic pace through the 1920s and 1930s and then steadily in the late C20th.
The period 1911-19 was relatively prosperous for Blaenavon, with the Welsh coal industry reaching its peak in 1913 and the First World War fuelling a demand for coal and steel. While hundreds of Blaenavon men left the town to fight, there was also inward migration from people working at the mines and steelworks and an influx of Belgian refugees.
The 2011 census shows the population as 6,055, which was the first census to show an increase for 90 years. And the construction over the past decade of hundreds of new houses means that by the next census, the population is likely to have risen quite a bit more. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Must See Places!
Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
The Blaenavon World Heritage Centre is the ideal starting point for a visit. Housed in a beautifully restored former school, the Centre offers exhibitions, interactive displays, and short films that tell the story of Blaenavon’s industrial heritage and the wider World Heritage Site. Friendly staff are on hand with advice, maps, and ideas to help you make the most of your visit. The Centre also features a café and gift shop, making it a welcoming spot to plan your visit to Blaenavon.
Find out more at the Centre or follow updates on Facebook.
Location: Church Road, Blaenavon, NP4 9AS
Blaenavon Ironworks
Blaenavon Ironworks is one of Britain’s most important early industrial sites, dating back to 1789. It features the best-preserved blast furnace complex of its era, alongside refurbished workers’ cottages that reveal everyday life during the Industrial Revolution. Regular events and exhibitions make it a year-round destination for visitors.
Location: North Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9RN
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Big Pit offers a powerful insight into Wales’s coal mining heritage. Once a working colliery, it now invites visitors to travel 300 feet (90 metres) underground, on a guided tour. Above ground, exhibitions and restored buildings bring the mining story vividly to life. A must-visit experience within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site.
Location: Blaenavon, NP4 9XP
Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall
Opened in 1894, Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall has long been a centre for culture, learning, and community life. Today it offers a digital cinema, live performances, snooker and table tennis facilities, and houses the award-winning Blaenavon Community Museum. Driven by volunteers, the Hall continues to play a key role in local life and welcomes visitors to explore its historic spaces.
Location: High Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9PT
Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway
Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway runs for 3.5 miles through the Blaenavon World Heritage site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. We operate steam and heritage diesel services on weekends and bank holidays between April and September, together with selected Wednesdays during July and August. We also offer a range of special events throughout the year, including our Halloween Ghost Trains and Steam Santa Specials!
Blaenavon Town Centre
At the heart of the World Heritage Site, Blaenavon Town Centre is home to a proud community of independent shops, restaurants, cafés, and businesses. Supporting local businesses helps keep Blaenavon’s heritage alive and thriving. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to stay, shopping for a souvenir, enjoying a coffee, or seeking a friendly chat, the town centre is well worth a visit.
Blaenavon Landscape
The wider Blaenavon Landscape is a living reminder of the Industrial Revolution and how it transformed the South Wales Valleys. Stretching across open moorland, former tramroads, quarries, spoil heaps, and abandoned buildings, the landscape tells the story of industry and its lasting impact on both nature and communities. It is perfect for walking, cycling, and exploring at your own pace, with trails linking key sites across the World Heritage Site. Look out for wildlife, panoramic views, and the remains of Blaenavon’s industrial past woven into the scenery.
Maps and trail guides are available at Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and online.
